09.29.2023

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Today’s Forecast

77º | Light thunderstorms and rain | 90% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:20 a.m. | Sunset 5:49 p.m.

The most magical place in Lakeland

Go treasure hunting at the Lakeland Antique Mall

The exterior of the Lakeland Antique Mall with a sign reading "Antique Mall" and a life-size horse statue

If you see the horse, you’re in the right place. | Photo by LALtoday

We’re spilling the beans on one of Lakeland’s most unique hidden gems. It may seem unassuming from the outside, but the Lakeland Antique Mall offers 44,000 sqft of vintage wares, antiques, and collectibles. Plan a day — or maybe a week — to browse for that perfect piece among its oddities.

A velociraptor statue from "Jurassic Park" surrounded by display cases inside the Lakeland Antique Mall — Life finds a way — to surprise shoppers, that is.
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Photo by LALtoday

The antique mall is located off of US Highway 98 North, near the Lakeland Square Mall. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the life-size horse statue in front of the building. Look out when you walk inside — the mall’s greeter is a huge velociraptor. Not a real one, of course, but a realistic statue of a dinosaur from “Jurassic Park.”

Also at the front of the store are Disney World memorabilia, including a real ride car from Space Mountain. You may start sensing a theme. This antique mall is known as a theme park lover’s paradise. Search for Disney collectibles or bring home a prop that was used at Universal Studios, no park admission required. At one point, it even had a $50,000 car from a Snow White ride for sale.

Crates of vinyl records, with a sign reading "Disney Picture Discs" — Take home a vintage piece of Florida’s history.
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Photo by LALtoday

With 250+ vendors, the booths go on for aisles, and aisles, and aisles. Browse for vinyl records, holiday decor, housewares, and clothing from the years of yore. Nostalgia runs wild here, so you might find a toy you loved when you were a child, or those plates your grandma always had.

If you’re hoping to see the whole store in a quick trip, think again. We recommend spending a few hours here to see everything the mall has to offer. Pro tip: The mall is pet-friendly, so you can make a doggie date out of it.

Visit the Lakeland Antique Mall at 3530 US Hwy. 98 N. It’s open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Events

Friday, Sept. 29

Lakeland Public Library Spelling Bee Club | Friday, Sept. 29 | 2-4 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library, 100 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland | Free | Head to the library’s History Room for this monthly club centered around spelling games and challenges — adults aged 18 and up are welcome.
“Unnecessary Farce” | Friday, Sept. 29-Sunday, Oct. 8 | Times vary | Buckner Theatre at Florida Southern College, 1100 Johnson Ave., Lakeland | $10-$20 | Florida Southern College students will kick off the Festival of Fine Arts with this comedic mystery play.

Saturday, Sept. 30

Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland, 210 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free entry | Find fresh produce, plants, and locally handcrafted items at this outdoor farmers market.
2023 Annual Hispanic Festival of Lakeland | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 1-9 p.m. | Lake Mirror, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $15 | Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with music and dancing on the Frances Langford Promenade.

Sunday, Oct. 1

All Hallows Eve Exhibition | Sunday, Oct. 1 | 6-8 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Local artists will display their creepiest art through Nov. 6, starting with this reception.

Monday, Oct. 2

Hip Hop Fitness | Monday, Oct. 2 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $5 | Pop, lock, and drop in this upbeat fitness class for ages 16+ — just bring your own water, towel, and mat.

Thursday, Oct. 5

PACA Pick of the Month: 4 Squared Makers | Thursday, Oct. 5 | 5-7 p.m. | Mulberry Cultural Center, 103 SE 1st St., Mulberry | Free | Over 40 different artists each completed 4 pieces of work on 4"x4" square wood blocks, resulting in an eclectic exhibit featuring a variety of artistic mediums: Photography, 3D, painting + more.*

Plan your weekend

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News Notes

Traffic

Timelines for two I-4 projects have been bumped up by the Florida Department of Transportation. The $197 million interchange replacement at State Road 33 will now begin in late 2024; crews will begin adding lanes to the interstate from US 27 to ChampionsGate in fall of 2026. (The Ledger)

Ranked

No. 1. That’s what Lakeland ranked on a list of US metro areas with the highest real estate value appreciation. The market value of Lakeland’s real estate was $82 billion in December 2022, up 25.3% from the year before. Miami was No. 2 at 23.9%. (NewsBreak)

Real Estate

Speaking of high real estate values, a mid-century modern house on Lake Hollingsworth was Polk County’s second most expensive home sale in August at $1.34 million. See inside the $2.1 million Lake Wales home that took the top spot. (The Ledger)

Edu

A statewide cell phone ban was instituted in classrooms this school year, and teachers are sharing the outcomes of limiting distractions. Students can use their phones between classes and at lunch. PCPS also offers devices for all students to use for instruction. (LkldNow)

Lakelander

Alex Peterson has filed to run for the US House in District 15, which includes parts of Lakeland. The catch? He’s only 18, and the minimum age requirement is 25 years old. Peterson says he’s running to make a statement about getting young people involved in voting. (The Ledger)

Outdoors

Bonnet Springs Park is celebrating its one year anniversary with a Birthday Bash on Saturday, Oct. 21, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. The day will be filled with free activities for the family, followed by a Movie on the Lawn and fireworks at night.

Holiday

The Lakeland Christmas Parade will take a new route this year to avoid construction on Orange Street. Instead of wrapping around Lake Mirror, the parade will wind around Lake Morton before returning to its starting point at the RP Funding Center. Parade applications close tomorrow, Sept. 30.

Active

This is the most fun you can have on two wheels. The City of Lakeland will kick off Mobility Week with CycleMania on Saturday, Oct. 28, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Head downtown for a community bike ride to Lake Morton and back, then try the bike rodeo in Munn Park.

Community

InnerAct Alliance now offers Mindfulness Journaling for Teens classes, where kids ages 13-17 can learn to positively express themselves. Interested in hosting classes for a group of teens? Learn more about scheduling with InnerAct’s educator.

Sports

Circle B Bar Reserve won’t be the only place to find gators this winter. The Florida Gators men’s basketball team will play in the Florida Tip-Off at the RP Funding Center on Dec. 14 versus the East Carolina Pirates. Tickets go on sale on Friday, Oct. 20 at 10 am.

Cause

What’s better than a prime rib dinner, raffles, games, live music, and a crowd-favorite fashion show featuring the fun-loving men of the Brotherhood of Pinkness? All that, plus raising money for Lakeland Regional Health’s Hollis Cancer Center patients. Register for Puttin’ on The Pink for Breast Cancer, happening Friday, Oct. 13.*

Home

Borrow from your home — not the bank. Your home value could go down anytime; borrow now while it’s high. Calculate your payment.*

Drink

It’s a caffeination celebration

Your guide to Lakeland’s coffee shops

A hand holds up an iced coffee drink against the exterior of a purple and yellow building

Bold or sweet, all local coffee is worth celebrating. | Photo by LALtoday

For richer or pour over, Lakeland’s coffee shops are what keep us going in the morning. In fact, you can find a java joint in most neighborhoods in town. What better day to visit your regular coffee shop — or find a new favorite — than National Coffee Day?

Divicious Deli & Coffee Shop, 128 E. Main St. | Great for those on the go, this New York-style coffee shop offers Lakeland friendliness. They boast new iced coffee flavors every week, like Oreo, rose, and snickerdoodle.

Purrology Cafe, 5343 S. Florida Ave. | This cafe will have you feline the love when you sip your coffee surrounded by cats. Pro tip: If you find one you connect with, they’re all available for adoption.

Concord Coffee, 1037 S. Florida Ave., Ste. 135 | Seasonal flavors have arrived at Concord. Stop by this fall for a pumpkin spice latte, carrot cake tea latte, or tiramisu latte.

14 more places to fill your cup

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Connor

From the editor

I have a feeling that Bonnet Springs Park’s Birthday Bash is going to be the event of the fall. That night’s Movie on the Lawn will be the 1995 “Jumanji” with Robin Williams — the superior film in the series, if you ask me.

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